The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-15
'sFather always said so,n answered Miss

'Father always said So" answered Mis-
Betty"
"Yes, remember He said so twent,
years ago. Nothing would make him chang
his opinion. Why did he build this hous.
so that in case it did give way you'd be sur'
| to be drowned outl Ibeheve good freshe
would carry every stick and stone Of i
| away"
"But we never have freshets in this little
river"
1--WE might have one, though, this season
They say the accumulatIons of ice up to the
northward are fearful. These soft skies
have come too suddenly. They are what
| farmerScall a weather breeder Let the
ice get pretty well melted and give US a
| good rain storm TO send it down, there'd be
| trouble sure"
Miss Betty did not believe in the freshet.
Her mind was occupied with other matters.
John and May were certainly coming to an
understanding. The other day she, Betty,
had been alone in the room with him, and
he had been talking about May. Suddenly
Miss Betty had fancied he was going to say
something about marrying her. 1t was too
much. Miss Betty made some trihing ex-
cuse and fled. Then she sent May into the
room. OF late she had taken to leaving
them alone together. If it was to De, it
must be, but John should not consult her
first II he had no memory, she had. Let
him speak to May
There certainly is something queer about
the river" urged John the next evening as
he took his departure. ''1t's six inches
higher than usual, and look at the mud. l
don't believe in that dam either"
THE dam will last till morning, won't
it!" asked May, mischievously.
Il don't know whether it will or not. 1t
might not if we had heavy storm 1t
looks like one, TOO. Does anybody remain
awake in this house all night!"
Not usually"
''Let some one do it tonight then, and to-
morrow We'll have things seen to-"
But even this warning went unheeded.
May was not timid. Miss Betty, though
naturally so, believed in the dam. When
bedtime came she read her usual chapter in
the Bible, said her prayers, tied the strings
of her night cap into an irreproachable
bow and went to bed to sleep the sleep of
the just.
At what time could it have been that she
was awakeded so rudelyl Was it rainingi
Yes surely. There was the distinct sound
of rain drops on the roof. But the rushing
sound that came from so far Off-what was
that? Miss Betty went to the window and
looked out There was something strange
in the landscape-what was itl
What Miss Betty saw might well seem
strange. Instead of her familiar garden,
the picket fence and the grassy lawn be-
yond, there in their place was watery
waste. All manner of small things were
floating about-hower pots, sticks, Miss
Betty's garden hat, inadvertently left on
the porch. All small things that could
float were having regatta.
Harkl what was thati A repetition of
the sound that awoke her some minutes
ago-a bursting, crashing sound-a rushing
sound, a sound Of huge timbers tearing
themselves from their fastenings, swell
ing, dashing, roaring sound!
'Helpi" shrieked Miss Betty, ''helpr"
In moment she had seen what the matter
was. The dam had given way, the waters
were rising Presently they would ever
whelm the house.
Miss Betty did not wait to see if her ap-
peal was heard. Who was there could
hear it. There was no one near but May
and Maria. Opening her door with tremb-
ling fingers she sped into the passage
There she met two flying figures, white
robed like herself.
''To the roofi to the roof" she screamed,
and seizing the nearest garments they
could find, to the roof the three terrified
women fed.
Fortunately for all, the old house wa.
not very firmly set upon its foundations
or else old age and decay had loosened it
At any rate it fioated, and as the waters
rose it rose with them.
But what a apredIcamenti Three half-clad
shivcring women perched on top of float.
ing house, in the middle of wild April
nighttime wind roaring, the rain falling,
all wild fury of the elements let loose.
1--WE shall die, Aunt Betty, we shall die"
moaned May.
Courage, May!" came from Miss Betty's
white lips. But in reality she was suffer.
ing more than either OF the other two
May was young and healthy, and exposure
did not affect the good Maria's toarsel
frame. Miss Betty was not young; sh
was not we'll Suspense and unhappiaess
had made her even feebler and frazier OF
late than usual
OH how wearily the hours passed The
old house shook and trembled as it was
tossed here and there by the turbulent
waters. Great logs from the dam struck
IL anu IL dG each DlOW.
1t must have been fully an hour before
the wretched women, clinging to each
other in their misery, heard the sound of
voices and the grinding of boat as it came
alongside the spot where they were hud.
died.
''Betty, Betty l'' voice called above the
storm.
In spite of cold and darkness vivid blush
overspread Miss Betty's pale cheeks. Why
had he called her Betty!
"Where are youl Where's Mayl"
s'OhW
Pallor succeeded the rose as Miss Betty
answered:
''Here, john, here" Catching his arm as
he sprang to the roof, she pushed May to-
ward him.
''Here she is, Johnl Take her; save herl
Never mind usr'
''Whatw He was so near that Miss Betty
fancied she saw the angry gleam in his eyes
John might be slow, and he might be
stupid; but he could act quickly when he
wanted to.
With decided movement of his right
arm he pushed May aside, and Betty felt
herself in his clasp. A heavy overcoat was
wrapped round her shaking form, and she
was quickly pdSSeu 10 oIner nanQs, VINO
placed her in the bottom of the boat To
her amazement John Mcintosh followed.
"But May, John! May and Maria!" she
shrieked, rising to her feet.
a strong hand held her back
They're all right. This boat Is small
The others will take them of Pye got you,',
That last sentence! What did it mean.
Why, it meant that things had really got
the habit of happening to Miss Betty.
They happened and they happened. Miss